Sycamore JEDZ issues pass easily

May 7, 2013

Written by

Leah Fightmaster

All three issues for Sycamore Township's joint economic development zones passed, without much vocal support or opposition.

The township's joint economic development zones, or JEDZ, are issues 5, 6 and 7 on the primary ballot. Created as an alternative to a property tax, the JEDZ are a partnership between the township and a municipality to add a .75 percent earnings tax to employees and businesses working within the JEDZ area. The township partnered with Madeira for two zones and one with Amberley Village, all of which are in Kenwood.

Sycamore residents who work in a JEDZ can have the additional tax refunded to them, but a portion of the earnings taxes of residents outside the township will go to Sycamore Township because of reciprocity. Only JEDZ employees who are residents of other townships, Indian Hill, Forest Park, Wyoming, Silverton and Amberley Village will see their withheld earnings taxes increase.

All three JEDZ issues passed with about an 82 percent approval. Both Madeira and Amberley Village can begin to collect the .75 percent earnings tax on Oct. 1. Board of Trustees President Tom Weidman has said that the township doesnít know exactly how much will be collected, but itís likely to at least come close to closing the budget gap.

Sycamore residents voted in the primary election to either approve or deny the JEDZ, but as of 10 a.m., not many voted at all. Poll worker Jim Demetrion said that by that time, only 36 people had voted at his polling location in the township administration building, 8540 Kenwood Road. Overall, 1,563 votes were cast on issues five and seven, while two more votes were cast on issue six,

Demetrion, an Amberley Village resident, said that even though his village is partnering with Sycamore for the southwest JEDZ, he hasn't heard any support or opposition for the issues. He added that he didn't have a problem with the JEDZ.